Of the grand ITE

I went with my class to ITE Bukit Batok last Monday and Tuesday and it was interesting, to say the least. Many things happened, both good and bad so let's not delve in deeper here.

But I can see, at least, that my class is now on the right track. Most of them were attentive and they asked pretty pertinent and good questions about their future careers or courses they would like to attend at ITE three years down the road. I'm really glad that most of them are sensible enough to know that their route to success lies in their own hands, and I'm definitely willing to give a helping hand to any who might need it. :)

Here are some pictures (lame, funny, blur, etc) I took while I was observing them.

Hard at work...

Mug shots of Lutfi and Aziq

Guess whose shadow this is?

Mr Tay decides to show them what he's made of.

Phew. Took me some time to get these photos up, and they are not even the full set! Oh well, as you all know me, technology and Ms Teo do not go well together at all. Sigh.

P.S. All the way Jeremy! We're rooting for you! :)

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Of work and work and work and...

It's interesting how things are sometimes.

I set up this blog in the hope of putting up entries that can either help some of you in your work, or inspiring in some way. Then I thought I could keep to my commitment of one post weekly at least, so you guys don't feel too bored, thinking that all Ms Teo knows is to talk (Well, yes I do know how to talk, but.. you get what I mean).

Been sick recently, a bout of flu and viral infections left me pale and breathless most of the time last week. Took a day off school on Friday, hoping that things can be better. Yup, I do feel better already, but still pale and feeling faint at times, or in a student's words, " 'cher, your face today no colour, I don't like".

Took some fun and interesting pictures today when I went with my class to ITE Bukit Batok. I'll find some time to upload them here as well as in Facebook after the level camps yeah?

In the meantime, do take care everyone, the flu bug's in town... Drink more water and oh yah, please enjoy yourself in camp! Whether you're in Sec 1 (classes I'm teaching now), Sec 2 (my class), or Sec 3 (my previous classes), you know you're in for a fun time during camp, so just have fun before the gruelling school days start again! :)


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Of Saving Up...

Jun. 14th, 2005

Money is not everything. But I can't live without it, I realise. I try to scrimp and save, of course, when the GSS is on like now, scrimping and saving gets relegated to the bottom of my mind while buying that "must-get-since-got-discount" item takes top priority. I try to convince myself that I don't need that particular item any more do I need another pair of shorts to add to my growing wardrobe. "Must buy for school!" Anyway, that convincing didn't work, as I reached for that item, brushing off that angel who was on my shoulder and embracing the devil on the other side.

The GSS is definitely not for people like me, not for people who live on only their tuition pay. So that's how looking for jobs comes in. Flipping the classified ads daily became a habitual routine of mine while eating breakfast, zooming in on part time vacancies, since tuition hours are irregular. But, somehow, every one I called turned out to be either some sleazy-sounding shrine with the aim of devouring pretty, kind,caring girls like me, or they are located in some forest deep deep in the plains. What is a girl like me supposed to do? A pretty, kind, caring girl like me? No idea.

So I gave up on classified ads and turned to online job sites. Whoo, dozens of vacancies to take my pick from. I clicked on "Apply" and "Send resume" happily, clicking and sending, clicking and sending, clicking and sending...

A phone call. I snatched the phone up. "Well, we DID say we have admin/customer service jobs available, but they are all taken up. How would you like to do some swimsuit modelling? The pay is very attractive.."

!!!

Which part of my resume says I have a to-die-for body suited for modelling? Even a pretty, kind, caring girl like me can have a cellulite-filled, fat-rolling and heavy-peared-shape body too. Anyway that's not the point. The point here is, I applied for an admin post, and I got a modelling stint? And the best part : "You only have to pay $200 for your portfolio, after which we will 'supposedly' give you some assignments by "some prestigious" companies who are looking for people like you." Ok, so the "supposedly" was added by me, but hey, a portfolio which costs me 200 bucks is supposed to get me some assignments? And I cant even remember which "prestigious companies" he mentioned, but it sure didn't sound like anything I've heard before. And hello, I didn't even send my photo together with my resume, they are looking for people like me? Wow, I knew I was good, but still....

Looking for jobs stinks, finding one sucks and the actual job-working is quite boring. Haha. So let's just stick with the scrimping and saving...

Aha. I knew I saw some ads on discounts for skirts...

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Of Writing Scripts

Jul. 17th, 2005


(Mandy is a cool girl who is dressed in her boring, drab and utterly hideous school uniform. She is bubbly, outgoing and a little ditzy at times. Shu Yin is her best friend.)

Mandy: Did you hear about the centa.. cenna... the whatever celebrations the school will be holding in a month's time?

Shu Yin: Its centenary celebration, the school's 100th year. Yeah I heard it will be a great big event that day. I even heard they are going to change the school's uniform too, and they are holding a uniform-designing competition to get ideas from the student body.

Mandy: Great! Finally we can get rid of these boring-looking uniforms and maybe get something really cool and snazzy to wear. Hey let's join the competition together ok?

Shu Yin: Nah, you won't catch me participating in school events, I'm telling you. So pointless, why don't you spend the time more wisely by studying?

Mandy: (staring at Shu Yin) Ok, I have no idea why we are best friends but yeah ok, do whatever you want. I want to join this competition and let everyone know about my artistic talent!

Shu Yin: Your what? You have an artistic talent? Interesting... We learn something new everyday...

Another scene.

(Mandy and Shu Yin are in the canteen, Mandy gushing over her idea of the new school uniform with Shu Yin looking on in disgust.)
(Ashley, the renowned spolit princess in school, and Cindy, her faithful sidekick, walk in.)

Ashley: (stopping by Mandy's and Shu Yin's table and talking to Cindy in a loud voice) Hey, have you heard? Someone with absolutely no talent and poise whatsoever is going to enter the uniform-design contest! Isn't that a laugh? How can she compete with me? Me, winner of the 2004 National Schools Art Competition?

Cindy: Yeah! No competition!

Ashley: Exactly! Why don't she look in the mirror and realise that she will pale in comparison with me?

Cindy: (chants) Yeah! No competition!

Ashley: (looking at Cindy strangely but continues) Well, I'm entering the competition too. That way maybe some people will realise that they don't even stand a chance!

Cindy: (still chanting) Yeah! No competition!

Ashley: Ok now you are being an ass. Can you say something else?

Cindy: Yeah! Uh.. Sure! No competition...whatsoever!

Ashley: (rolls eyes) Let's just go.

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Mandy: Well! How dare she say that! She thinks she will win doesn't she? See what I've got! (Eyes gleaming)

Shu Yin: (Sighs)

Speakerphone: Will all prefects please pay attention to this announcement. All prefects are to meet in the AVA room for a meeting about the centenary celebrations. I repeat, all prefects are to meet in the AVA room now for an urgent meeting. Thank you.

Mandy: Sigh. Why am I a prefect? Prefects have so many duties that are so boring. I just want to be a normal student, someone who studies all day long, goes home straight after school and have no social life!

Shu Yin: (sarcastically) Thanks a lot for describing me. Hurry up and go for your meeting, I'll wait for you.

(In the AVA room, Mandy is still complaining about being a prefect to another friend, Peipei.)

Mandy: (blah blah blah)

Peipei: (nodding distractedly) Uh huh.. yah.. I understand.

Mandy: (finally realising no one is listening to her) Peipei! Are you listening? What are you looking at? (Swivels her head in the direction Peipei is looking at)
Gasp! Who is that?! Oh my, how dashing can someone be? ohh... Peipei you were looking at him!

Peipei: (blushes) No I was not, he was making a commotion at the back and it caught my attention that's all.

Mandy: Uh huh, I'm sure. Wow, he's really good looking though. New student I guess. And a prefect already? He sure works fast. Hmm.. If I get to wear the sexy uniform I designed, he may like me! (Drools)

Peipei: Wah can you stop dirtying the floor with your saliva? Enough already! Meeting starting!

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(After the meeting, outside the AVA room)

Mandy walks in front of the boy and dropped a packet of tissue ever-so-casually on the floor)

Boy: (Picking it up) Excuse me! You dropped something!

Mandy: (turning around as gracefully as she can) Oh! Thank you so much! (Lowers her eyelashes in mock shyness)

Boy: Yeah no problem. See you.

Mandy: (hurriedly) Hey wait! Um... I'm Mandy.. You are..?

Boy: (With a flick of his hair) I'm Alvin. Nice to meet you. I gotta go, see you around.

(Mandy stared after him longingly, and in the distance, she saw Ashley walk up to him and chatting away, they walked off together.)

Mandy: What?! Ashley and him? No way. Impossible. Must be Ashley trying to sink her claws into Alvin, that sweet innocent boy. Poor thing. I have to help him get out of that witch's clutches. And winning the uniform-design contest might be the answer...

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Will Mandy win the uniform-design contest and win Alvin''s heart at the same time? Will Alvin take a second look at Mandy? Or will Ashley thwart Mandy's well-thought plans?

Episode 2 coming up.


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Of Growing Up and Responsibility

Aug. 3rd, 2005


Whatever made me think I was all grown-up and ready to fly out of the house? Whatever made me think that being 21 yrs of age has made me a woman all eager to venture outside?

Many people dream of being 21 when they were in their early teens, either because only then can they escape out of their parents' clutches by claiming to be an adult, or because they can finally watch an RA movie without dodging and ducking. I, too, dreamt of being 21 as soon as I possibly can. Looking at my sister grow up into a beautiful young lady working outside, giving money to my parents and buying exquisite yet costly clothes and accessories for herself, I wished upon many many stars to be able like her one day. Hoping that one day will be the next day I wake up.

Well it's finally here. Or at least it's going to be here in 2 months. 2 months. Flies by without anyone noticing. I will finally be 21. But it is not all I thought it to be. Sure, RA movies will still be for my taking, but I never read the fine print there on the of-age contract. It should be there in big bold letters: ALONG WITH FREEDOM AND ADULTHOOD COMES RESPONSIBILITY, FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE.

I never knew that. Ok, maybe I do, but who will think about financial responsibility when you have sheltered comfort, warm beds and loving parents? I wish that I have never wished upon those little stars. Along with being an adult comes the duty of earning money, something which is not easy. Being a kid means I can always hold out my hand and money will be given to me for buying the stuff I want. But not now. No longer can I just hold out my hand. Not only do I have to earn my upkeep, I got to make sure my mom does not crack under all the financial pressure too. The burden on her is huge, no matter how much I try to take some off her, she is forever bogged down by the fact that bills are always on the pile.

What can I do? Find a job? Does tuition count? I can't possibly start any real work now like sales assistant or what-not since school is starting soon. The only way is to teach tuition. Sure, I could take up more students and be bugged by them, but I'll have to do it at the expense of my own spare time and the very limited time I could spend with loved ones and friends. Win the lottery? I have never supported gambling, though the lottery is not technically considered gambling. I think. This option is out.

What else can I do? Save, save and save. But, as much as I appreciate wholly the efforts of some friends to pass me some cash, I do not wish to take any money from them. Call me stubborn, but the value of friendship is always much more than monetary value. Money always has a way of hurting relationships, intentionally or otherwise. Thus it is up to me to hold myself up and "reach for the stars" without breaking my neck at the same time.

And guess what? I believe I can.


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Of Random Song/Poem

Mar. 4th, 2006

Girl, I know it's been a while
Since I held and kissed you
Please believe me when I say
I never once forgot you.

We have always tried our best
To give each other all we can
But there came a time when
I got so mad I forgot
What made you sad.

You cried and sniffed over the phone
However it got me all riled up
Ready to rage and pounce on your
Every mistake, this I do.

I once told you not to cry
You look ugly when you do
But then I made you so sad
That I cried when you cried too.

The more I raged so the more you cry
Till I gave up on you
I told you I want out
Me, you couldn't refuse.

But you never gave up on me
Not once you do
I called back some time later
And to hear you say "I do".

I rejoiced and so did you
We had some happy times together
But came one day again when I made you sad
I gave up once again on you.

Girl, I'm sorry now
Please forgive me
I'll never make you sad again
let alone give up on you.

But you got to understand me
The way some other girl did
I cared for her, and I care for you
Don't leave me please.


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Of being lost and desolate

April 6th, 2005

I found her. I saw her when I was walking along the path of destituism. She was smiling, ever so sweetly, at me. I looked at her and almost ran away as I did not want her to see me in this state, but her eyes drew me closer, alluring eyes with a hint of mystic. I went forward and said to her grudgingly, "Why are you here? It's too late now. Go away ok? I don't need your help, I needed it before but you didn't appear so why should you appear now? Go away."

She gazed at me and asked softly, "You really want me to go? If you do, I shall go now and never come back." I stubbornly stood with my back to her and refused to acknowledge her. She patted me on the back and kissed me gently on the cheek, her soft hair sliding across my shoulder. A whiff of nostalgia, regret, remorse and anticipation overwhelmed me but a moment of hesitation, and the feeling is gone.

She is gone too. I looked over my shoulder and I couldn't see her anymore. A deep sense of regret filled me but I shook myself and said, "Well, she wouldn't have helped anyway. She didn't appear when she should and now it is too late."

I continued on along the path of destituism, not knowing where I was headed. As I walked, and sometimes crawled due to lack of strength, I stumbled many times and each time I fell, tears of despair flooded my eyes. A single thought was on my mind during those times : Where are you?! Pls appear, I really need you now. I'm sorry I asked you to leave, I thought it was too late, but I'm wrong. Pls forgive me.

But nobody arrived. I cried and stumbled til I came to a fork. Which way should I go? Will the way I choose be safe? Can I be sure that I will choose the safer and ultimately smoother route? I stood there thinking and thinking and thinking and...

A flash of light and there she is, smiling at me with that graceful smile I know so well. I saw her lips move "Don't worry, I am always here. I heard your cries, don't think I didn't, but I wanted you to stumble and learn. I didn't leave and I will never leave you. Anytime you need help, just think of me and I will appear. But I want you to try whatever you think is right first, so I can help you achieve more when I arrive."

Is it raining? Why is my face wet? I reached up and my hand came away wet. I was crying. Touched. She is here. I found her.

Confidence.


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